Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?

@ghasley 

Thanks for the update! 

@sns

Well said and spot on. Even the software used for playback has enormous impact. If comparing Innuos to Grimm, be sure the Innuos gear used Sense, not Roon.

Better cabling, footers, fuses etc… all can greatly impact a specific player. Simply too many variables involved for absolutes.

I recently added a $195 SR Purple fuse to my Innuos Zenith and the sonic results were spectacular. I mean shockingly so. This one variable changed so much. My dac sounds best using USB and I have a wonderful sounding USB cable. The Grimm unit is very intriguing, but I cannot use it as its USB output is not very good. So many unique system variables to consider. 

@ghasley

I bet that Grimm is so enjoyable. Did you add file storage? Curious what digital cable you are now using.

@ghasley 

I still listen to Roon on my Innuos Zenith to compare with Sense.  Roon still sounds much less enjoyable.  Really not even close. I compared the most recent versions of Sense and Roon and simply find Roon is still far behind sonically. Keep in mind I do not use DSP and don’t tax my Zenith at all.  It has never locked up or needed to be cycled off/on.  It has run flawlessly at all times in my home even when I primarily used Roon a couple of years ago. 
 

I demoed the PhoenixUSB Reclocker in my system for two weeks and ended up returning it.  It simply did not offer a perceptible improvement in sound quality when used with the Mojo Audio Evo Pro dac I had at the time.  I actually preferred the Zenith on its own with the Mojo Audio dac. Just more at ease and natural sounding.   I was rather shocked at this outcome, but it just reinforces the important role various systems and preferences play in our choices.  
 

I must say your comments on the Grimm has me wanting to listen to one in my system. The problem is I spent so much on my Tron dac that another $11 grand on the server is not possible. I suppose I opted to spend much more on the dac vs the server. With the Grimm unit I sense one can spend less on the dac and get a great outcome.  Interesting. 

@ghasley

So no real need for the switch or Muon boxes? Just go from modem/router right into the Grimm and dispense with Muon and Aphile switch? Just a decent ethernet cable. You suggest these additional attempts to reduce noise and reclock are no longer helpful with the Grimm. 

I see. Thanks @lalitk ! The new Pro version is not yet on the Network Acoustics site. I did watch the review by Hans. 

@sns 

I appreciate your posts and know this subject is important if one wants the best sound quality possible from streaming.  

USB cable length posts are interesting. I designed and built many USB cables  over the years. I made lengths from 13 inches to 2 meters. I listen extensively to all my cable builds and frankly heard no issues, no sonic differences, with USB cables under 1.5 meters. None.

I do not think the 1.5 meter minimum length for best sound theory applies universally to all USB cables based on my building and listening experience. I have not tested other USB cables in this way so the theory may be true from some.

My builds varied conductor types, levels and types of shielding, build geometry and connectors.

Understand @lordmelton. I suppose we each have differing sensitivities and I get it. By the way, I checked out your system and you have some great gear! I owned several of Steve’s pieces, Empirical Audio, over the years. Also, the VRE-1 preamp is spectacular!

Yes indeed Charles. The fuse is certainly directional.  I have found all fuses to be directional.  Innuos has a fuse flow diagram on their site. The Purple flows from S to R on the label and when placed according to the Innuos flow diagram the fuse sounds best.  

Yes, we all have differing sonic priorities so what one finds less enjoyable completely immerses another. Love this hobby!

I owned the Phoenix USB reclocker with my Innuos Zenith 3, and while it improved transparency, I ended up selling it as I preferred the more relaxed and organic sound of my Mojo Audio dac without it. Just a reflection of my preference.

I will say this again as I feel it is important. Try a SR Purple fuse in your server/streamer before making any kind of final decision. Let it burn in for 48 hours and then listen. This one tweak has improved the sound of my streaming front end more than any other single network upgrade. No joke. Yes, more than my switch, filters, LPS and other network upgrades. A revelation in my Zenith. Regardless of your feelings on fuses, be open minded and try one. They offer a 30 day return policy. Don’t judge the sound until in place and run in for 48 hours. Get one rated about 25% higher amperage than the stock fuse.

All sonic parameters improved. All of them. Music is also released more from the speakers in a magical way. I have tried many fuses over the years and the Purple one is just so special in my Innuos server. It’s like I upgraded to a far more expensive server.

Charles, I am going to put the Purple fuse in my Tron dac as my only tweak 🙂. We will see if it also brings the magic with this dac or not.

Yes, the Purple fuse elevates the Zenith another level. It actually stopped me from considering the Grimm which I find very intriguing. The sonic gains were large and quite shocking. Music sounds less audiophile and more natural/real. A small bit of glassiness or audiophile exuberance was removed allowing for a more natural and engaging sound. I could easily detect lower noise. I found myself turning it up a bit more as the overall presentation was more at ease.

I compared both the Merason Dac 1 and the La Voce S3 to my Mojo Audio Mystique 3 which I owned at the time. I found the Merason to be wonderful sounding. Very close to the Mojo in all areas except the Mojo offered improved body, muscularity and weight. I would put Mojo Audio on your list to demo.

I was not that impressed with the S3 compared to the Merason and Mojo Audio dacs. It lacked the refinement of the Merason and could not match the realism, muscularity and linearity of the Mojo Audio dac. I guess I found the S3 a tad boring or less engaging than the other dacs. Pleasant sounding, but just missing something.

I have added SR Purple fuses to my Circle Labs integrated and noticed nice sonic gains, but not near the level I experienced with the Zenith 3. I will be trying them in my Tron Electric Signature dac soon. I don’t think the Purple fuses are necessarily a sonic home-run for every piece of gear they are placed, but the impact in the Zenith is special.

I would start with the Zenith first. Good to see what this one move does on its own. SR fuse direction runs S To R when looking at the label. Here are the instructions on fuse placement from the Innuos site:

https://innuos.com/kb/replacing-the-fuse-on-innuos-products/

The S end should face the units interior while the R faces the the exterior/back. Fuse direction is very, very important. The fuse will need 24 hours on it before showing its potential. The first 24 hours is not the time to judge sonics. No need to play music for burn in, just make sure it is on. Get a 5mm x 20mm Slo-blow 3.15A fuse.

LEDs hurt the sound. I learned this long ago. I have disabled all the LEDs (possible) in my gear. 

LEDs add noise. Bypass and listen. In a well resolving system with a person who cares about such sonic things the sonic impact can be heard. Yes I am a crazy audiofool so try for yourself and let your own ears and system decide. 

With my Innuos Zenith 3 I found the Muon Pro to have more positive sonic impact than the Phoenix which I returned. As I stated many pages ago, the Innuos Zenith benefits from the SR Purple in a very special way. Much more so than other pieces of equipment I have put these fuses in. The Zenith really responds. It is a must do to really evaluate the Zenith 3 as it performs on another level for $195. Not sure the SR Purple fuse will have this level of impact in the Grimm. I doubt it based on my experience.

I know SR has a new Master fuse now. It is said to be more resolving. I feel that much resolution could tip the Zenith into possible listening fatigue over time. The Purple is perfect 😊.

Give the fuse 48 hours of burn in before judging. After just 24 hours your tail with wag with joy! The Muon Pro also needs a week of run in. Network Acoustics says many customers prefer the pigtail end of the filter going to the switch. I preferred the pigtail on my Innuos as an FYI. Try both directions over time and decide for yourself.

Pigtail end on Innuos was more full bodied and meatier. Pigtail on switch was more resolving and lite up. It will come down to personal preferences and system synergy.

@nyev , I love how you are having fun with this hobby and passion. You are really going through the effort of trying pieces for yourself and determining what pieces engage you the most. Wonderful.

@nyev 

This Innuos link tells you all you need to do with the Purple fuse. It won’t blow.  No worries. 
 

https://innuos.com/kb/replacing-the-fuse-on-innuos-products/

@arafiq

I have owned all three NA Ethernet product ranges and can confidently tell you the Pro delivers much more sonically. I like the ENO products as they certainly improve the sound quality of a streaming front end. The Pro makes the ENO sound a tad dull in comparison. Not that the ENO is dull as it is not. However, the Pro brings a level of resolution, space and realism that is very, very special in my system.